Surgeon&#39;s absorbent mask



Feb. 5, 1935. w. P. B. NEMZEK 1,990,199

I SURGEON'S ABSORBENT MAS K Filed Nov. 1, 1953 I zgl.

INVENTOR Will/am RB. Nern ek,

H45 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 5, 1935 SURGEONS ABSORBENT MASK William P. B. Nemzek, North Arlington, N. J.

Application November 1, 1933, Serial No. 696,128

4 Claims. (01. 2-206) The invention relates to a surgeons absorbent mask.

While performing surgical operations a surgeon always wears a mask. One of the serious difficulties encountered by many surgeons, particularly in warm weather, is the perspiration problem. Perspiration falling from the surgeons face not only distracts his attention from the delicate Work he is doing but the probability always exists of perspiration dropping into the wound and causing disastrous infections. Excessive perspiration and the worry caused thereby is not conductive to the performance of good work by the surgeon and causesirritation of the skin in addition to being annoying and fatiguing. The ordinary mask in use is of a single thickness and soon reaches the saturation point as to perspiration.

It is common practice to have a nurse swab a doctors face while performing an operation. However, in doing this the doctor must turn away from the operating table temporarily. This is irksome and time wasting when the time element may be of vital consequence. There is also the probability of the movement of the doctor causing lint or other dbris to fall into the operative area causing a most serious source of infection.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a surgeons mask made in its substantial entirety of highly absorbent material so as to immediately absorb all perspiration at the point or area of excretion, leaving the skin comfortable and unirritated.

A further object is to provide easy means for securing the mask in position regardless of the size or shape of the head to which it is to be applied.

A still further object is to provide a mask in whichall or parts of it may be readily disposed of after using it once, thus making for an absolute sanitary condition.

Referring to the drawing in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

Fig. 1 is a plan view;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig, 1;

Fig. 3 is a view of a slightly different form of mask; and

Fig. 4 is a View of another modification.

Referring again to the drawing, the reference numeral 5 indicates the body portion of the mask. The mask is provided with an aperture 6 for the eyes and nose.

A pair of' lateral extensions or tabs 7 extend newer processed cottons or laterally from the body portion and tapes 8 are secured by stitching or other means 9 to the tabs. The tapes are stitched to the tabs at a region remote from their ends. This arrangement permits of the tapes being tied together at the back of the head regardless of whether the head be large or small. When in position the tabs preferably extend all the way around the back of the head and overlap.

Other tabs or lateral extensions 10 are provided on the lower part of the body portion. These tabs extend around the neck of the wearer and have tapes 11 secured to the tabs by stitching 12. These tapes are likewise secured to the tabs 10 at a region remote from their ends forthe same. purpose as described in connection with the tapes 8. The tabs 10 likewise preferably extend all the way around the neck and overlap.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that all parts of the neck and face except the nose and eyes are covered, the small uncovered area being inconsequential. Different arrangements of tabs and variations in the means of securing the tapes to the tabs may be employed. If desirable the tapes may be pinned to the tabs.

As illustrated particularly in Fig. 2 the mask is formed of a pad of absorbent material 15 :of a substantial thickness which pad is encased in sheets of surgical gauze or similar material 16. The absorbent material may be cellu-cotton, any of the any. material which is highly absorbent. l i

The mask is preferably made fiat as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 but if desired it may be preformed or moulded as indicated at 20 in Fig. 3.

After being used once the mask is preferably thrown away or destroyed. However, if desired the absorbent material 25 may be used as liner or filler for a permanent mask 26 as shown in Fig. 4.

Changes may be made in the nature of materials or details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A surgeon's mask comprising a substantially flat flexible body portion adapted to cover all parts of the face but having an opening for the eyes and nose, said body portion being formed of a pad of highly absorbent material and being moisture permeable throughout, and fastening means for securing said mask in place.

2. A surgeons mask comprising a substantially fiat flexible body portion adapted to cover all parts and fastening means for securing said mask in place. 2

4. A surgeon's mask comprising a substantially flat flexible body portion adapted to cover all parts of the face but having an opening for the eyes and nose, said body portion being formed of a pad of highly absorbent material and being moisture permeable throughout, upper and lower tabs integral with said mask, which tabs are lateral bifurcations of said body portiongand fastening means secured to said .tabs. 1

WILLIAM P. B. NEMZEK. 

